60th Commonwealth Parliamentary Conference

Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, President of CPA

“A triumph for Cameroon’s diplomacy”
- Cavaye Yeguie Djibril, President of CPA

Cameroon will from 2 to 10 October host the 60th Conference of the Commonwealth Parliamentary Association. Under what banner is the meeting placed.

The conference is placed under the double banner of confidence and consolidation of the influence of the Cameroon parliament internationally. I should note that it was not easy for Cameroon to obtain the ticket to host this conference. Our candidature went through a process of serious scrutiny. More so, the final decision was taken after certain factors and principles had been considered: the level of democracy, rule of law, Human Rights and Freedoms, Peace, stability, solid institutions, gender promotion and environmental protection. You can admit with me that all these factors are effectively present in Cameroon today.


How prepared is Cameroon to receive the over 800 delegates from the 175 national and regional parliaments?

The organization of the CPC, just like for similar conferences, is always done in collaboration with the headquarters of CPA. The CPA oversees the progress and technical content of the preparations. But all matters concerning the bursary including: Transportation within the host country, lodging, catering, security and medical disposition, communication are handled by the host country.

With respect to the foregoing, we put in place commissions to take care of particular aspects. Without entering into details, I must say that all is set to welcome all the delegates to the conference, the majority of who are presidents of the respective parliaments. We are ready for a befitting and successful hosting ofs the 60th conference of the CPA.

What importance does Cameroon attach to this conference?

A big importance indeed! The admission of Cameroon in the Commonwealth in 1995 was somewhat of a difficult and painful birth; it was anything but easy. That are today hosting a world conference like the CPC constitutes in my understanding, a veritable triumph, a historic victory for our country’s diplomacy under the guidance of his excellency President Paul Biya, who is also the vice patron of the Commonwealth of Nations after the Queen of England. These also shows that ever since the first days of his accession to power and all along his mandates, President Paul Biya, the visionary leader that he is, has been anticipating and putting in place the conditions that have given Cameroon the credibility to host a conference of this magnitude. Even though our entry into the Commonwealth was not easy, i can affirm that it was inevitable considering the pertinence of our choices and options.

Cameroon joined the Commonwealth in 1995. What has she benefitted since joining the association?

I think you should direct the question to technicians of the ministry of external relations. But I should say the benefits, some of which we are celebrating today include: the credibility, notoriety and great confidence that our country enjoys in the eye of Commonwealth member nations. It is the same for La Francophonie. I should say that just the fact of belonging to these two organizations is something unique and exceptional for our country in the comity of nations.

But practically, the assistance to Cameroon from commonwealth has been enormous and multi-form especially in the domain of major reforms that the country has undertaken in the process of remodeling its political landscape, for instance. We can also mention commonwealth’s actions in building the capacities of some important institutions and professionals.

Some member countries expressed worries over the security and health situation of the country especially with Boko Haram and Ebola. How did you reassure them?

You can bear with me that there is no danger whatsoever coming to Yaounde for a conference. But you also know that the conference will not limit itself only to Yaounde. There will be excursions to other places in the country. So, all security and health dispositions have been taken. I instructed the general coordinator of the organizing committee to meet with heads of diplomatic missions of member countries with a view to reassuring them of the measures we have put in place to assure security. Without going into details I can assure you that all has been done to make sure the delegates to the 60th CPA conference have a wonderful sojourn in Cameroon. Our security and health authorities are working. You can count on them.

What does Cameroon expect in concrete terms from this conference?

Firstly, the conference should open up new perspectives for the country on the international scene. And like La Francophonie yesterday, it should also reinforce in Cameroonians the sense of belonging to one and the same nation, of having a common vision, of sharing a common destiny, of moving ahead together, in peace and unity.

What souvenirs would you like for the delegates to take back at the time of leaving Cameroon?

The first should be that Cameroon is a destination to visit again and again. I doubt if any body can visit all the marvelous places we have in Cameroon in one journey: The rich and diverse culture, our cuisine, tourist sites etc etc. I will like for all the delegates to think of coming back again some day.

The second souvenir should be that of a welcoming and hospitable people. Then the third should be that Cameroon is a model, an example of social cohesion, of peace and stability, an example for others to emulate.